Leeds United are facing something of an injury crisis ahead of their midweek Carabao Cup clash against Fulham on Tuesday night.
Friday evening’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle United means the club are still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season, with a bruising second-half seeing a number of players either forced off or require treatment.
The talk pre-match was concerning Leeds’ lack of options in the centre of defence, as injury and suspension bit, which lead to a Leeds bench with an average of just 19 years old at St James’ Park.
Fulham await Craven Cottage on Tuesday night ahead of a tough Premier League test against West Ham at Elland Road on Saturday, when the home crowd will be increasingly desperate to see their side claim a first three-point haul of the season.
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Bielsa has not undergone a pre-Fulham press conference, but the club have issued an injury update ahead of the match. Here is the latest on the squad’s injury status.
Diego Llorente
The Spanish defender poor injury luck continued when he limped out of the defeat to Liverpool, but the defedner himself was quick to take to social media and allay fears of a lengthy absence.
No timescale has been given on his return, with Bielsa merely confirming he was out of the Newcastle match in last week’s press conference.
Robin Koch
The German international has been absent since the opening weekend defeat at Manchester United with a pelvic injury.
Again, a timescale for his return is unclear, with Bielsa grouping the defender with Llorente during last week’s latest update.
Pascal Struijk
THe Dutch defender served the first of his three-match suspension on Friday night, after his appeal following the red card against Liverpool was dismissed.
Struijk will also be forced to sit out the trip to Fulham and Saturday’s visit of West Ham.
Luke Ayling
Luke Ayling covered in a centre-back role on Friday night, but he was forced off with a knock in the closing stages as Leeds’ poor injury luck continued.
While the injury came too late in the match for Bielsa to give an update post-match, he did address his potential absence.
“We have four centre-backs and the option of Ayling is number five,” he said. “If we have to resolve the absence of four of them, it’s going to be complicated. “
The club confirmed on Tuesday morning that he will miss the trip to Fulham with a knee injury and will continue rehabilitation at Thorp Arch.
Jack Harrison
The winger was absent from the teamsheet at St James’ Park and quickly confirmed on social media that he had tested positive for Covid-19.
“So frustrated to be missing the game due to COVID but I’ll be supporting the boys from home and be back real soon.” he wrote on Instagram.
“Thanks for all the well wishes, I’m feeling fine good luck lads!”
Raphinha
Another player to be forced off early against the Mapgies was Raphinha. The Brazilian opened the scoring in the first half, but was unable to complete the 90 minutes, with Bielsa withdrawing the winger on 67 minutes.
Following the match, Bielsa confirmed the 24-year-old was suffering from a hip issue and compared the winger situation to the one he is facing at the back.
“The same in the position of the wingers where we count on James, Harrison, Raphinha and Summerville and to lose two of them will still make it very difficult to resolve.
“I always have confidence that in the end solutions will appear.”
Patrick Bamford
Yet another who suffered a knock in the Friday night clash, Bamford went down with 11 minutes left holding his foot after a heavy challenge. He had to leave the pitch for treatment, but did return, albeit with a limp.
There was no update from Bielsa post-match, but his absence was confirmed by the club on Tuesday morning, alongside Ayling’s.
Adam Forshaw
There is better news regarding Adam Forshaw, who has been out since he returned to the first-team fray against Crewe in the last round of the Carabao Cup.
“Forshaw is finishing the recovery of his injury,” Bielsa said ahead of the Newcastle game. “For next week he will be available”.